check out these positively happy clients
“We first met Julie through the First Steps program. We live in a small, rural community that is underserved for speech therapy. We had not previously had in-person speech therapy through First Steps prior to meeting Julie. She had been traveling to our area with the intention of meeting the need of speech therapists in our area. To me, this demonstrates her heart for the children and families that she serves. She is passionate about what she does and it shows! We had therapy sessions both in a clinical setting and within our home. My son had severe speech delay associated with a brain injury at birth and CP diagnosis. He was also having daily seizures during our time with Julie. She always came to therapy with her “magical bag” full of toys, books, puzzles and activities to engage with Holden. She went above and beyond to find ways to keep him engaged and progressing by including sensory activities to help stimulate his speech. She used continuing education opportunities to cater a therapy plan specifically for his needs and shared her knowledge with me so that I could work with him throughout the week between sessions. Holden aged out of First Steps at age 3 and I’m happy to report that he is catching up to his preschool peers in speech and is saying lots of words and phrases, is counting and naming colors, shapes and learning his abc’s. Julie was a valuable member of our early developmental therapy team and a huge blessing to our family. We continue to keep in touch and I consider her a friend.”
— Jenny E.
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” -Diane Acherman
“I’ve had many years of experience with my other kids and therapies including speech. Miss Julie was an answered prayer for our family. The way my son lights up when he see Miss Julie pull in the driveway and announces, “Miss Julie here!” speaks volumes of the impact she has in this journey for him and us. I think a lot of therapies are forced and not a pleasant but daunting experience for the child and family which just adds so much to an already full plate of things to navigate. Miss Julie’s approach through play is effective and fun for everyone. I have to keep my giggles to a minimum seeing my son and his friend playing and simultaneously opening up new avenues of communication. And every week that he grows, Miss Julie grows with him always coming in with a new customized strategy for my son. Her intentionality and hard work is never ending and I so appreciate it. She prays for our family and she is such a light! Her love and care is so genuine and she puts her whole heart into her calling and kids. She has decades of experience yet is continuously looking for new ways to better serve her kids. You can clearly see her passion in what she does. It’s not just a job to her. She is so incredibly gifted in her calling. Her going private practice just helps her grow in ways that she can control and not limited. This is so much more than just speech therapy.”
-Kelli Y.
“It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” -Leo F. Buscaglia
“When thinking about qualities you would want in a speech therapist, Mrs. Julie has them all. Dedicated. Caring. Focused. Fun. Loving. She is a perfect teammate, locked in on the goal of helping your child be the best communicator they can be. She cares about the whole child, and not just the child in therapy. If you have other children, she cares about them too. She breaks down your child’s needs and works on them in a planned out way that makes sense for your child and your family. She provides the tools and resources necessary to work on meeting goals, whether it be graphics to help aid in communication or a tiny piece of chocolate to use as a vocal incentive. Mrs. Julie has all the manipulatives to help motivate all the children. I know she was instrumental in helping our child in therapy also learn how to put together puzzles while working on animal sounds. Our other children could not wait to see what was new in her Mary Poppins style bag of tricks. The connection she has with our child (and children) was special and real. Choosing a therapist can be intimidating and stressful, but your child and your family are in amazing hands with Mrs. Julie. She will help you see, and hear, your child grow.”
— Ashleigh L.
“Enter into a child’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet” -Virginia Axline
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
